>Rachel Reeves is preparing a fresh bonfire of environmental protections in a bid to accelerate infrastructure building and boost the economy, according to reports.
>The chancellor is considering major reforms that would make it more difficult for wildlife concerns to hold up developments, The Times reported.
>Treasury officials are said to be drafting a new planning reform bill, the publication reported.
>The move reportedly involves tearing up parts of European environmental rules, which developers have argued slow down crucial projects.
>While Labour ministers have previously insisted their current planning overhaul would balance growth with nature, Ms Reeves is understood to believe that the government must go further.
>The Planning and Infrastructure Bill going through Parliament overrides existing habitat and nature protections, which, if passed, would allow developers to make general environmental improvements and pay into a nature restoration fund that improves habitats on other sites.
>But Ms Reeves is considering more contentious reforms that are likely to trigger further backlash from environmental groups, according to The Times.